Advnture Verdict
The Jöttnar Fenrir really does feel like a jacket designed for real-world outdoor use, designed for and by someone who spends a lot of time out there doing it. The jacket has lots of features, and the warmth-for-weight factor is excellent.
Pros
- +
Superb patterning and all-round fit
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Synthetic panels and hydrophobic 850FP down offer improved moisture resistance
- +
Competitive warmth for weight
- +
Light and packable
Cons
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Stitch-through construction can cause cold spots
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Hood not compatible with a climbing helmet
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Only a one-way main zip
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First Impressions
Despite the Nordic name, Jöttnar is a British brand that is actually a relatively new kid on the block in terms of outdoor kit. However, it has quickly built a reputation for turning out some of the finest technical apparel in the business, epitomised by the handsome Jöttnar Fenrir down jacket. This midweight hooded down coat uses premium materials, including 850-fill-power water-repellent goose down and a 30-denier ripstop nylon face fabric. It also employs synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas like the neck, hem and cuffs, which when put together with that hydrophobic down fill, makes this a more versatile and weather-resistant down jacket than most.
• RRP: £295 (UK)/$395 (US) / €335 (EU)
• Fill: 850-fill-power water-repellent goose down
• Size (men's): S-XL
• Size (women's): XS-XL
• Weight (men's size M): 390g/13.7oz
• Colours (men's): Nightshadow/Tarragon/Black/Dark Ink/Aegean Blue/Oat
Colours (women’s): Aegean Blue/Dark Ink
- It's a big investment, so check out our best down jackets and puffers before you part with your cash
- It's also important to know how to look after a down jacket
- Down vs synthetic insulation: we explain the pros and cons
In the Field
We were immediately impressed with the Fenrir’s superb warmth for weight, which makes it a brilliant throw-on layer for hiking, hillwalking and general mountain pursuits. Yet despite its light and packable nature it doesn’t sacrifice features. So, you get a full-length zip with an inner baffle, plus twin zipped hand pockets and an internal zipped security pocket. There are anti-snag drawcords at the hem, stretch cuffs that fit easily over gloves and an elastic-bound hood, with a rear cinch cord.
The fit is absolutely spot on, which is particularly impressive, as baffled down jackets are notoriously hard to tailor well whilst maximising thermal efficiency, without adversely affecting overall comfort and freedom of movement. We think this jacket really comes into its own as an extra layer for winter summit trips or chilly wild camps. It is certainly capable enough to be used for more technical climbing and mountaineering too, though a couple of shortcomings – namely, a hood that doesn’t quite fit over a climbing helmet, and a main zip that has only a single zip puller – make it slightly less well suited to these pursuits.
